Ralph Hasenhuttl’s admission amid Odsonne Edouard Celtic exit rumours

Southampton's Austrian manager Ralph Hasenhuttl watches from the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Southampton and Brighton and Hove Albion at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton, southern England on March 14, 2021. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by ANDREW COULDRIDGE / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by ANDREW COULDRIDGE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Southampton's Austrian manager Ralph Hasenhuttl watches from the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Southampton and Brighton and Hove Albion at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton, southern England on March 14, 2021. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by ANDREW COULDRIDGE / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by ANDREW COULDRIDGE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

For quite some time now, Odsonne Edouard has been linked with a Celtic exit. The Frenchman is in the final year of his current deal and is expected to depart Parkhead this summer.

In fact, most people probably would have expected him to have left by this point of the summer transfer window. But Edouard is still at the club till now. That does not mean that an exit might not be on the cards though.

He has been heavily linked with a move to Brighton & Hove Albion over the past few weeks. And some recent rumours have emerged, linking him with Southampton as well.

Danny Ings has departed Southampton and joined Aston Villa this summer. And Ralph Hasenhuttl has admitted that they need to replace the striker. As reported by the Daily Echo, the manager said:

"“I think we know that we have lost a very important striker in Danny Ings and to replace him, sure, we know that we have to do something.”"

He added:

"“We definitely need someone.”"

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Could Edouard be set to leave Celtic for Southampton?

Leaving Celtic to join Southampton has not been an uncommon sight in recent times. In fact, many players have done it over the past several years. Could Edouard be the next one?

It goes without saying that on the top of his game, Edouard is perhaps the best player in Scottish football. But he has not been at the top of his game for a while now and has looked out of form this season. Considering that as well as the fact that the Frenchman is in the final 12 months of his contract, and letting him leave this summer might make a lot of sense for the Hoops.

The club still need to bring in players in quite a few positions and the transfer fee that they would receive from Edouard’s transfer exit could help in that regard.

Now, it remains to be seen if Southampton do decide to make a move for the striker this summer. Rumours have suggested that his Parkhead exit might require a transfer fee of around £20 million.